Skip to main content
Shane1
Shane1
Helper ⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 12, 2017

How to solve issue with exports

When trying to export data such as post field analysis, there can be a common problem with opening the csv file in excel, as the data appears jumbled and unreadable.

This has to do with how excel converts the columns. The delimiter is by default a comma but because for instance in the post_description columns comma's are also used it doesn't convert it correctly. This is an excel specific issue and doesn't occur when opening a csv file in the Mac application Numbers.

However, its quite easy to solve this issue. Firstly, you need to open the csv file in a text editor like notepad, then simply copy everything and past it in excel. Then the data is properly shown in the correct columns.

    2 replies

    Julian
    Julian
    Gainsight Employee ⭐️⭐️⭐️
    July 12, 2018
    Actually, another way to do it is to load the file directly to excel, and then do the following:

    1. Go to the "Data" tab
    2. Select "text to columns" under data tools
    3. Select "Delimited" and click on next
    4. Select "Comma" and click on finish



    Unfortunately, this is a limitation by Microsoft Excel, as far as I know you will not face this specific issue with other vendors.
    Translate
    I follow my nose, it always knows
    Jurgen
    Jurgen
    Helper ⭐️
    July 12, 2018
    My current foolproof method for using export data is importing the csv file to an empty spreadsheet. Once I discovered this method, I never looked back. 😆
    Translate
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement